Hunt is nationwide for suspect in killing of Lush nightclub owner; reward up to $25K

The reward money is piling up — now standing at $25,000 — in the nationwide effort to find fugitive Lyle "Ty" Hoffman, accused of fatally shooting his former live-in boyfriend and nightclub business partner outside an Arden Hills gas station two weeks ago.

Authorities added Tuesday that they have yet to recover the weapon used in the killing on Aug. 11 of Kelly Phillips, prompting them to warn that Hoffman, 44, should be considered armed and dangerous.

The new reward total is more than double the $10,000 announced just a few days ago, thanks to money "raised by the community," among them friends of the 48-year-old Phillips, according to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.

Contributions to the reward can be made at www.crimeandjustice.org. Anyone with information about Hoffman is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 651-266-7320.

Paul Walsh